Contract length

[Judy Trickett]

I would rather have a little bit less security than to be stuck in a bad situation with no way out( late pick ups , late payments, etc)
Besides, where I reside ,the parent can walk away and give me zero notice at any time. The only fee they have to pay is what ever is 50$ max or what they had left owing for the length of the contracts as long as it is under 50 $.
But in the even that I want to terminate a contract it is virtually impossible and can take months.

I usually get them to sign the new contract a week before the old one expired.

For example: I recently decided not to renew a 3 month contract as a result of many late payments and other breaches of the contract. When I told the parent I was not renewing she had 2 weeks notice. If that contract had been for 6 moths or a year, I would of had to wait it out !

I'm missing something because I don't understand. WHY do you have to keep a client you don't what (for whatever reason) until the end of the contract?? The minute they pay late or pick up late they have breached the contract which makes it null and void if you so chose so you can terminate them.

Besides, it's YOUR business so you can terminate them whenever you want anyway.

Please explain......

[Sunflower]

I'm missing something because I don't understand. WHY do you have to keep a client you don't what (for whatever reason) until the end of the contract?? The minute they pay late or pick up late they have breached the contract which makes it null and void if you so chose so you can terminate them.

Besides, it's YOUR business so you can terminate them whenever you want anyway.

Please explain......

I live on the Quebec side and am a subsidized daycare. So in reality I have certain procedures to follow. Even if someone pays late,arrives late at pick up I have to give them notice after notice.. keep written proof that I did everything I could to resolve the issue. Even then, if I choose to terminate them they have every right to go and make a complaint, whcih means an investigation into the issue from my head office. Not to mention the fact that they can call consumer protection over here and take me to court. Maybe they would not win but I don't have time for that kind thing.
So .... one month contracts protect me from being in a being in a very uncomfortable predicament !
Sometimes I miss the days when I was a "private" daycare !!!!

[Emilys4Guppies]

I live on the Quebec side and am a subsidized daycare. So in reality I have certain procedures to follow. Even if someone pays late,arrives late at pick up I have to give them notice after notice.. keep written proof that I did everything I could to resolve the issue. Even then, if I choose to terminate them they have every right to go and make a complaint, whcih means an investigation into the issue from my head office. Not to mention the fact that they can call consumer protection over here and take me to court. Maybe they would not win but I don't have time for that kind thing.
So .... one month contracts protect me from being in a being in a very uncomfortable predicament !
Sometimes I miss the days when I was a "private" daycare !!!!

I find it hard to believe that they can require you to work without pay or pick up late. Does your contract not state open hours or payment policy? I don't understand how it's permissible for them to BREACH the contract and have no repercussions. I understand you are licensed, and that's how you have subsidy available, but there still has to be protection for you. How many notices until you can take action?

ETA: I hope you don't think I'm second-guessing you here...you know your business certainly better than I do. I'm just floored that you could be so backed into a corner.

[Sunflower]

I find it hard to believe that they can require you to work without pay or pick up late. Does your contract not state open hours or payment policy? I don't understand how it's permissible for them to BREACH the contract and have no repercussions. I understand you are licensed, and that's how you have subsidy available, but there still has to be protection for you. How many notices until you can take action?

ETA: I hope you don't think I'm second-guessing you here...you know your business certainly better than I do. I'm just floored that you could be so backed into a corner.

No worries lol... I know it sounds unbelievable. I have never had to be in this situation myself but know people who have . I have been told straight from the office that I report to that my only protection is short contracts.
I have read all the legal government documentation and there are no clear procedure as to how many wanings need to be given etc.

It's really up to head office and who they get on the line when they call consumer protection to make a complaint.
Needless to say this scares many of us into putting up with crazy things. Without going into detail I must say I personally do NOT put up with nonsense like non payments.
just wanted to add that some parents DO pay but it is late each time . To me this is also not acceptable.

[Sarah]

just wanted to add that some parents DO pay but it is late each time . To me this is also not acceptable.

Sunflower forgot to tell you that those parents (not going to say bad things about them here but I'm sure you'll all think bad things about them - just like I do!!!!!) are paying 7$ a day so 35$ a week for daycare. AND THEY FIND THE WAY TO BE LATE FOR PAYMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! )))))))))))))))))))) )))))))

[Junelouise]

This is exactly why I have never in 29 years signed up for any government or daycare agency. I tried the government once and they had such stringent restrictions it was ridiculous..they wanted me to fence off my pool. Fire inspections, police checks, health department checks, the list went on and on...I decided to stay private all these years.